Tricks for Combatting Procrastination | Tim Ferriss | Big Think

Tricks for Combatting Procrastination
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Procrastination hits everyone, although perhaps that wording is wrong. It’s an internal force rather than an external one that acts on you - and that’s great news because it means getting past the thumb-twiddling is just a matter of having an actionable plan.
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TIM FERRISS:
Tim Ferriss has been listed as one of Fast Company's “Most Innovative Business People," one of Forbes's “Names You Need to Know," and one of Fortune's “40 under 40." He is an early-stage technology investor/advisor (Uber, Facebook, Shopify, Duolingo, Alibaba, and 50+ others) and the author of three #1New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers: The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body, and The 4-Hour Chef. The Observer and other media have called Tim “the Oprah of audio" due to the influence of The Tim Ferriss Show podcast, which has exceeded 90 million downloads and was selected for "Best of iTunes" in 2015. His latest book is Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers.
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TRANSCRIPT:
Tim Ferriss: Procrastination. Let's talk about it. It's a big topic. And by the way we all face it. It is a ever present evergreen issue for a reason and even the people you see on magazine covers, most of them, there are a few mutants, but they all have things they put off. And there are a few different tactics, approaches that I found very helpful that I've borrowed from, whether it's guests on the Tim Ferris Show or people I interviewed for Tools of Titans my newest book, here we go. So down the list. So one is break it down into the smallest action conceivable. And there are a few different types here. So if you have a macro goal, which is double the number of podcast downloads per episode. All right. I'm just giving that as an example. Well, we need to modify that to make it really actionable. So the first is making it hyper, hyper specific so we need a timeline at the very least. So let's say within six months doubling, and this is a real example for me, doubling the number of podcast downloads. Well, downloads are ongoing so by what point in time?
All right, I want to double the number of podcast downloads per episode by week six after publication and I want to accomplish that within six months. All right. And then we can borrow from David Allen and just ask what are some of the prerequisites, the component pieces of doing that? Let's break it out into say content and organic. You could have it paid acquisition, you make a long list of these potential buckets of activities. From there you would look at next physical actions, and this is directly from getting things done. And you could apply that to any number of these, let's just say it's ten buckets but you would ask yourself, this is a question I ask myself very often when I'm procrastinating because there is indecision, and this is a particular breed of procrastination. In other words if I have ten things on my to do list or ten potential products I could pursue what to do in that situation? And what I ask myself is which one of these if done will make the rest the relevant or easier? This is a key question I ask all the time, which one of these will make all the rest easier to do if done first, or all the rest irrelevant, don't even need to do them. That is how I will hone in on one piece of the puzzle.
And this can be applied all over the place. But let's just say it's the doubling podcast, it could be losing weight, you can see that's very, very amorphous. We need timelines. We need an amount to lose. And then you want to make it as small as possible. So I'll give you a different example. If you want to start flossing your teeth, who likes flossing your teeth? Pretty much nobody. So how do you start flossing your teeth? Well, you want to make it as easy as possible to develop as part of your routine, to make it as automatic as anything else that you do consistently. And you could borrow from the say BJ Fogg who's done a lot of research at Stanford and elsewhere, make it as small as possible, meaning in the beginning do less than you're capable of doing. So this is another key when you think something is too big or onerous, so it's too intimidating or it's too much of a pain in the ass.
So for flossing you might say I'm only going to floss my front two teeth. That's three gaps. That's all you're going to do. And you want to make it, again, as easy ...
For the full transcript, check out bigthink.com/videos/tim-ferri...

[@bigthink]

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[@ishaantitus7369]

sorry to be offtopic but does anybody know a method to get back into an Instagram account..? I was dumb forgot my login password. I love any tips you can give me

[@rrek7]

Can't wait to watch this later...

[@lovyazid]

rrek7 lol'd 😅

[@firippumartinezu1782]

Just watch 10 seconds of it. That shouldn't be too hard.

[@ClovisdeCruz]

You mean "can wait"

[@TyDyck]

hey its later

[@johanmedrano1924]

Watch 5 secouds per week

[@videolane]

Break into small tasks. Make them actionable. Make them easy to do. Do it within fixed time. Be socially accountable.

[@MarcusWiderberg]

VideoLane lower your standards

[@peteradebayo2393]

VideoLane Wow, Great Advice...

[@TheGeorgee]

Hey, I don't have to watch the whole video now, you jerk!

[@faloudeepgupta5011]

i literally saved 10min of my life by this

[@ThisIsMyFullName]

"Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs." -Henry Ford

[@ClarkKent-ov2pi]

ThisIsMyFullName post quotes at youtube and think that you are not procrastinating ;)

[@XXBeasTGaming]

aye shit she's hot - Ghandi

[@dennisdeslager3382]

Well we haven't been very good at curing certain diseases. Or creating a theory of everyhing :)

[@Mussi93]

@@dennisdeslager3382 But we are working on them. In small parts.

[@ThrottleKitty]

**procrastinates watching video**

[@YEE941]

Throttle Kitty Lmfaoooo

[@ashwhikidd]

lol I was just thinking, I'll watch this video later....maybe

[@brunolima6699]

Throttle Kitty 😂😂

[@scottburnley1611]

Marketing

[@humanyoda]

Every video/article on this topic has comments like that.

[@MotorGoblin]

I'll watch 45 seconds of this video every day for two weeks.

[@xyhmo]

That was my plan but I didn't get started.

[@MrChezzwizz]

I'm not sure why, but everything this guy is saying and the way he is communicating it, registers with me more than most other "technique" videos I've watched prior. Good stuff. Set a low bar.. Love it.

[@sovietsplicer8817]

I'm watching this while procrastinating send help

[@Fudgeey]

Watching this got me to start on an assignment I've been putting off for 2 weeks now. Finished the largest chunk of work, now just have to edit it down.

[@ProProboscis]

I just added this one to my watch later list.

[@TheRaizo101]

This video really comes in handy in order to procrastinate during finals week. Thanks!

[@bytefu]

Finally an actually useful advice on Big Think.

[@DouglasEiner]

I tell myself that I can "Procrastinate Tomorrow" LOL

[@nizammahamood4540]

What will you tell on your death bed?

[@calatwork7308]

@@nizammahamood4540 I think I'll die later

[@rossy3lo]

Great tips!

[@ashutoshpanigrahy7326]

Procrastinating procrastination😂

[@jcaspe]

Tricks to avoid procrastination: 1. Define task and break task into small pieces 2. Prioritize by asking "which of this task will make the other task irrelevant or easier 3. Start small and lower your standards by doing things less than what you're capable of 4. Use Pomodoro technique (start task by just 20 minutes and rest for 5 minutes) 5. Make yourself accountable to the task by betting with friends and/or adding post it reminder

[@hishamhaidar8701]

this is the best video for procrastinators and it helped me a lot. i started going to the gym and do the minimal amount of work but continued going after a month i was doing at least 1.5 hours of good workout. thank you.

[@bewbmike]

I added this to my "watch later" Playlist. I'll conquer procrastination, when I get around to it.

[@ChrisGaskinComedy]

bewbmike I did the same thing, hahaha.

[@antonzimnitski9536]

Same here)

[@saneauto]

This is a club I can sometime maybe join later. :)

[@brunolima6699]

bewbmike 😂

[@JD2jr.]

Tim is fucking fantastic. I hope you recorded a lot of videos with him.

[@septamush]

I love how Tim talked about the need to identify fears and even how to overcome it. You'd see that they are based on experience, even his books are also amazing! I’ve heard influencers and authors who does it too, even therapist that host podcasts like the Pioneers of Insight podcast, but not too many others.

[@havek23]

A more business-relevant example (instead of song writing or whatever) is to just trick yourself into getting started on something big. If you have broken it down into what all needs to be done, and you can't convince yourself to just get started on 1-2 of the things that need to be done first... just say "Okay how about we just try one of them for 10 minutes?" and set a timer and get started. That way if you really don't like it or its too daunting, you have a built-in escape hatch you can use in 10 minutes... but almost always you'll dismiss that 10min alarm and just keep going cause you're now on a roll.

[@WhomisThou]

HEY YOU! YEAH, I'M TALKING TO YOU. STOP WATCHING THIS VIDEO AND FINISH YOUR ESSAY. IT'S FINALS WEEK DON'T YOU HAVE TO STUDY? WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING HERE? GO DO IT!

[@ThomasNimmesgern]

Sean Lu Best advice ever given.

[@mrboobiesrider9212]

Sean Lu FUCK OFF!!

[@garycasper2929]

Sean Lu cant i just pay someone to do it..?

[@clarkfeeley1959]

I procrastinated before watching this video. Lesson learned. Procrastinating can sometimes be the best choice.

[@julianbruce6504]

Whenever I feel unfocused or overwhelmed, I return to the video even years later, even though I have already integrated this advice and ingrained it. Somehow it still helps.

[@budasfeet]

skimmed the transcript in 1 min: basically be SMART, creating goals that are specific, measureable, attainable, realistic, and time based.

[@3D4Ureel]

I have lots of things to do but I'm watching this instead.

[@dbuyandelger]

Yup procrastinate by watching a counter-procrastination video

[@morgangreen2526]

3D4Ureel And people like us pat ourselves on the back for such action. smh

Buyandelger Davaajantsan but if you don't watch it right away, than you are procrastinating.

[@brunolima6699]

3D4Ureel hahahaha

[@brettshirley]

I'm a design student and I have to say this helped a lot, cheers

[@LarryPanozzo]

Tim thank you so much. We normal people without mentors or money to pay for the most helpful advice really need explanations like this!

[@YoSomePerson]

Probably best BigThink video I've ever seen.

[@fynworld]

To anybody suffering from procrastination, check the book Mini Habits, it expands further in what Ferris spoke about here

[@seamusdebuitleir20]

Thank you Tim,you kept it simple,for complicated people!

[@dostthouevenlogicbrethren1739]

Tony Robbins uses a similar technique for making bets. Instead of just making a bet to pay if you don't achieve the goal, he makes it a donation to a cause that he strongly opposes. It's amazing how motivated you will be to not support something you are against!

[@libertad_de_pensamiento]

I use his advice for a month! The results= 4 KZbin videos, 2 books read, and I haven't failed going to the gym :) this thing works!

[@frederickalino8160]

It worked for me! I used this method when I studied for the NCLEX.

[@caybokotze]

I actually procrastinated on watching this video for real but it was actually really worth watching.

[@xapemanx]

good advice, feels good thinking i'll be doing something later

[@stephenmodliszewski7892]

Fire Tactics Tim- thx. The 20-minute sprints work really well for me when it comes to writing. (Game Changer)

[@mojowent]

This video has shown up on my feed for a while now but I kept putting off watching it

[@GuRuGeorge03]

some of these techniques I already used without really consciously thinking about it and this video reminded me on how useful they actually are ! Thanks a lot !

[@marcuscross8051]

The most important part of this advice is breaking big tasks down into smaller tasks. Whenever I do that, I am 100 times more likely to get on and get things done, and enjoy the process of ticking little tasks off my list. It really works!

[@educatingignorantintoleran3436]

Listen to this man's podcast if you haven't already. One of the best.

[@TheVoidstrider]

Big think, this person spoke very clearly and concisely. He didn't ramble. I appreciate that. Please encourage everyone you have speak follow this example, if you could.

[@wombat7961]

2:17 talking about efficiency :)

[@dcupmusic]

Thanks TIM everyones cracking the obvious LOLs but this is a huge issue for me, a self employed creative. These are all great techniques

[@rossy3lo]

This is unbelievably very helpful. Especially the last few minutes part in this video. Definitely will try the 'appointment' trick, I think it'll work for me. Thank you.

[@ChxseOP]

I've been holding off watching this video for a while. Glad I finally watched it!

[@RatFacedJasper]

Far too many 'watch later' comments.

[@samr7542]

"I'm procrastinating by watching this right now!"

[@snowisthebestweather]

I'll give an actual reply later.

[@StaleyTraining]

Tim- more like this please!

[@CanmanSam]

I put this video on my watch later list

[@primaltoad1]

As did I. And now I'm watching it. :)

[@pixie89]

This is one of the best 'tim talks' so far.

[@tinamatsimella5806]

This was so great. I came back to take notes so that I can havea quick reference and put into practice. Thank You!

[@Doingitforlove]

thank you 4 your time, I appreciate you.

[@lohne87]

Omg - i have been wondering for days how i should motivate my sister to get out of bed and do stuff! You have given me the answer! Thank you!!

[@arthur78]

Best Big Think video in a long time.

[@BASEDinMaine]

Awesome summary. I so desperately need to implement these. I am aware of many of them it's just a matter of using those positive constraints. Interestingly, the very last tip to schedule a meeting with yourself seems like something that might help me deal with my waking up early issues. I've been struggling to go to bed earlier and wake up early when I am in control of my own schedule and don't have to get up for anybody else. Basically every time I set my alarm and it interrupts my sleep pattern, it's way too easy for me to just shut it off and go back to sleep because nobody else is depending on me. I can get up extremely tired if other people are expecting me. I just can't do it for myself. So maybe that Mike Birbiglia trick will work, as silly as it is.

[@AnimatorJackie]

I love this series, thank you Big Think for spreading this information

[@timm6112]

THanks for posting. Very helpful.

[@OnePercentBetter]

Thank you Timothy

[@VitalGVA]

Seems like a nice video. Will watch it tonight when I have some time.

[@ryan20xx70]

Greatest advice I've ever heard.

[@Rosannasfriend]

God, I needed to see this. Thanks.

[@InkEyes]

This is a very good video to watch when procrastinating.

[@AreebIrshadSimplifies]

These are practical tips. Tim never disappoints!!!

[@DeAguaMusic]

It's been 3 years and now I finally have time to watch this.

[@timnost]

I really have to give this a try, thanks for uploading!

[@jackmiddletonofficial]

Excellent video so practical as always Tim Ferris!

[@STAWSKINATOR]

I'm gonna procrastinate by adding this video to a playlist to watch later

[@ThomasNimmesgern]

BryceStawski You're getting bonus points if your "watch later"-list consists of more than 1,000 videos and / or if you add it to your list at four o'clock in the morning.

[@Alberts_Stuff]

This was excellent, thank you!

[@dcfromthev]

This is great advice! Some of these things I already do, and some of them I am planning to try! Thanks Tim!

[@Lamarr168]

This has good ideas I can use and share with others. Thanks Tim!

[@thelaughingphilosopher2421]

Really useful video. Well done and thanks, Mr. Ferriss.

[@tristiansanderson9830]

Very cool and very helpful video. I especially like when he says break it down into smaller tasks. It makes me feel accomplished to check things off the to do list, and it motivates me to do more. I like this video very much.

[@saltydiarrhea386]

I'll watch this later...

[@empyreantic]

That's what you SHOULD do. I'll watch it now, instead of working ;)

[@matthewtriolo4330]

How could someone not like this? He’s a BEAST

[@Vinomix]

I just added it to my watch later list.. I was procrastinating while watching this.

[@emmabathgate6487]

Brilliant video with lots of actionable tips, thanks Tim.

[@brie7859]

As a student, "Mini mini homework assignments" is the loveliest idea I've ever heard of

[@sandyhurtado9343]

this was excellent ! I love Tim Ferriss!!

[@lamarasher6254]

Great vid! All the tips were super helpful

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Damn, the Email Game was discontinued a few days ago! Feb 7! Bummer

[@jimiboi87]

I saw this video on my recommended list and immediately clicked "watch later" lol. I am off to a great start already.

[@FyreMagyk67]

Wow...that hits home something fierce.

[@Ashwekar]

Wonderful. Thank you Tim

[@dorianzane2548]

Wow. This is actually really helpful.

[@declangarrity]

straight up life advice there

[@luciasujaadamcova9218]

This video is so good. Thanks for great advice Tim :)

[@eclecticcoach6490]

Love this video very helpful and well delineated.... Thanks!

[@andrewspinoza]

I needed this ... specific advice

[@MrsAlexisAgnew2019]

The "meeting with myself" trick sounds intriguing. I'm going to try it now. Update: Just tried the Pomodoro technique on my 130-question exam, and IT WORKED. I had been putting it off for 2 days, but tonight it is DONE.

[@Tary88]

Adds video to watch later list.

[@davidhunt6751]

This looks reeky great, I'll look at it tomorrow.

[@MrHozzam]

Wonderful advice. Thank you very much.

[@roseinabottle]

I'll use these tips...tomorrow

[@warriorsofsuccess9324]

Definitely a valuable video! thank you !

[@siddhantsharma1577]

thanks a lot tim.. ☺☺☺ have an important exam in 60 days... this is something i needed.

[@dandemsky7157]

Great video. Tim Ferriss is a gem.

[@permatorus7326]

Thanks!!! Much Love :::)

[@tomasbarrios]

6:00 that was smart. that is actually how you positive train dogs, lowering the threshold.

[@padrinoDK]

great video! thanks!

[@videoaccount5676]

Just added this video to my watch later list

[@WelcomeToMyDream]

Added this video to my Watch Later list!

[@brunolima6699]

WelcomeToMyDream 😂

[@KwyatMan]

This is PERFECT!!!!